US3 min(s) read
Published 08:57 14 Apr 2026 GMT
President Donald Trump has sparked controversy on social media yet again, saying on Monday that he removed an AI-generated image that appeared to depict him as Jesus Christ due to the “confusion” it caused online, while also taking a swipe at conservative activist Riley Gaines.
The U.S. President is no stranger to causing a stir on social media, frequently posting on his Truth Social account what many would describe as “inflammatory” content, and his latest machine-generated image has whipped up quite the backlash.
Speaking to CBS News, Trump explained his decision, saying: “Normally I don’t like doing that,” but added, “I didn’t want to have anybody be confused.” He emphasised the reaction, stating simply: “People were confused.”
Earlier in the day, Trump had told reporters he believed the image, which showed him in flowing robes placing a hand on a man in a hospital bed, was being interpreted differently. He claimed it was meant to depict him as a doctor, saying it “was me as a doctor and it had to do with the Red Cross.” He later doubled down on that explanation, insisting that “most people thought” the same.
Expanding on his view, Trump said: “You had the Red Cross right there, you had, you know, medical people surrounding me, and I was like the doctor, you know, as a little fun playing the doctor and making people better,” adding, “So that’s what it was viewed as.”
He also dismissed the idea that criticism from Riley Gaines influenced his decision to delete the post. Trump said bluntly: “I didn’t listen to Riley Gaines. I’m not a big fan of Riley, actually.”
Gaines had publicly criticised the image, questioning Trump’s intentions in a post on X. She wrote: “Is he looking for a response? Does he actually like this?” and added that “a little humility would serve him well” and: “God shall not be mocked.”
However, after Trump’s interview aired, Gaines clarified that she still supports him despite her criticism. She wrote that “the truth social post missed the mark. It’s now deleted. Amazing!” and added: “I don’t get my feelings hurt easy and I know with the President it’s really not personal.”
She concluded with a more reflective message, saying: “I want to spend eternity in a real place called Heaven. I’d love for Trump to be there too. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. I’ll keep doing my part by speaking truth & doing my best to lead others to Christ.”
